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First meeting of presidential search committee convenes

Diversity. Teamwork. Commitment to excellence. Everyone’s got an opinion regarding what attributes the next University president should possess, and many shared their thoughts at the first meeting of the presidential search committee on Feb. 7. The first—and only—open meeting of the advisory committee, which was assembled to find a suitable successor to President James M. Rosser, explained the search process and allowed for input from the campus community.

The Trustees Committee for the Selection of the President—consisting of trustees Lou Monville, Margaret Fortune, Lupe Garcia, Henry Mendoza and Bob Linscheid as well as CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White—will make the final decision. However, the advisory committee of campus representatives provides suggestions for qualities appropriate for the position, reviews all candidate applications, participates in interviews and the deliberations that lead to the selection of the final candidate.

Resume screening began on March 20.

CCOE Dean Falvey retires after 32 years at Cal State L.A.

Looking back on 32 years of service to the University, Mary Falvey says working at Cal State L.A. has been a great gift.

“So many of our students stay in the area, so I get to see them blossom and flourish in the field of education and make an extraordinary difference, especially in the lives of families who have kids with disabilities,” Falvey said.

Falvey, who has served as the Charter College of Education’s dean for the past seven years, retired at the end of February.

A national authority on inclusive education for students with and without disabilities, Falvey joined the faculty in 1980. She coordinated the program in severe disabilities and inclusive education and was recognized as an Outstanding Professor in 1987-88. After a couple years as director of student services for the Charter College of Education, Falvey was installed as dean in 2006.

Public education, particularly for those with disabilities, has changed tremendously in the past 30 years. Laws and regulations were enacted to ensure equal opportunities and access to previously underserved students. But more importantly, the mindset of how to approach teaching students with disabilities has been altered.

“The core essence is dignity and value,” Falvey said. “More people believe in recognizing the worth and the abilities of children with disabilities. Thirty years ago, they weren’t even in the public schools. The law helped push the system to serve those students, but you can’t legislate caring or a commitment and belief in children. More teachers have embraced educating students with disabilities.”

The key to her long tenure is the student population, whom Falvey says “never take a minute of the education for granted because they are paying for it out of their own pockets.” And the best memories were made at commencements—she’s never missed one.

“Seeing the pride in the graduates’ faces and in their families’ faces â€¦ so many of them never thought that their children, spouses, or mothers would ever be able to get a college education. And then it’s an education with a career. It opens up teaching or counseling as an option to them. I cry every year.”

Diane L. Fazzi will serve as acting dean of the Charter College of Education until May 31, 2013, when Eunsook Hyun will begin her tenure as dean. Hyun comes from University of Massachusetts, Boston, where she served as professor of curriculum studies and associate provost.

Los Angeles mayoral debate held on campus

On Feb. 18, Cal State L.A. became a political arena as it played host to five candidates battling to be the next mayor of Los Angeles.

City Councilman Eric Garcetti, city Controller Wendy Greuel, entertainment lawyer Kevin James, Councilwoman Jan Perry and tech executive Emanuel Pleitez discussed platforms and policy, defended political records and hurtled attacks at each other during the 90‒minute mayoral debate organized by the Edmund G. “Pat” Brown Institute of Public Affairs, and which aired live on KABC‒TV Channel 7.

The debate was moderated by ABC7 Eyewitness News anchor Marc Brown, with questions generated by Raphael J. Sonenshein, executive director of the Pat Brown Institute, David A. Holtzman, president of the Los Angeles League of Women Voters, and John North of ABC7 Eyewitness News.

The feisty exchanges between top contenders Garcetti and Greuel set up the clash for the March 5 primary election, in which they received 32.9 and 29.2 percent of the votes, respectively. The two City Hall mainstays will face off in the runoff election scheduled for May 21.

AROUND L.A.: Down for the count

Trying to identify homeless people in Los Angeles County is an enormous undertaking requiring 5,000 volunteers. This year, Cal State L.A. students were among those participating in the 2013 Greater L.A. Homeless Count.

The count, conducted every two years and organized by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, helps the agency demonstrate the region’s need for housing, shelter and service programs to the federal government.

“In order to make a difference in the lives of homeless men, women and children in Los Angeles County, we need to know who they are and where they are,” said Maricor Garaniel, LAHSA volunteer coordinator. “The 2013 Greater L.A. Homeless Count is an opportunity for everyone throughout Los Angeles County to play a tremendous role in ending homelessness.”

Los Angeles has one of the largest homeless populations in the nation. More than 51,000 individuals were identified as homeless in the county in the 2011 count.

Two groups of students from Cal State L.A. took part in the census count on the night of Jan. 29, canvassing in East Los Angeles and Monterey Park.

This exhibition features paintings by Los Angeles-based artist Antonio Puleo that examine patterns, both man-made and natural, and how paintings can play off of the architecture of an exhibition space. Call the Luckman Gallery at (323) 343-6604 for more information.

Luckman Jazz Orchestra: Featuring Dianne Reeves

8 p.m. April 13Luckman Theatre

Dianne Reeves, today’s preeminent jazz vocalist, will join the critically acclaimed Luckman Jazz Orchestra for a stellar one-night-only performance. Undeniably one of the most important jazz vocalists in history, Dianne Reeves’ impact on the art form is deeply rooted. The four time Grammy Award-winner’s incredible artistic range is celebrated throughout the world. The New York Times says Dianne Reeves is “the vocal heir of Sarah Vaughan.” Call the Luckman Box Office at (323) 343-6600 for more information.

Founded in 2004, the Northwest Dance Project is dedicated to the creation and performance of innovative, contemporary new dance works from established and emerging dance makers. Led by acclaimed Artistic Director Sarah Slipper, the NW Dance Project lies in the art of dance as a whole, providing artists at the threshold of their careers the chance to hone their craft, as well as fostering an environment for their artists to take risks, experiment, develop, and explore. The Northwest Dance Project has established itself as a bold and innovative contemporary dance company performing an all-original repertoire from a select roster of accomplished choreographers as well as the most promising new talents in the field of contemporary dance. Call the Luckman Box Office at (323) 343-6600 for more information.

Honors Convocation7 p.m. April 26Eagles Nest Gym

Dean’s List honorees, recipients of scholarships and grants, and Honors College will be honored at the program. In addition, new freshmen will be recognized for having entered the University with a 3.5 GPA or higher on their high school records. Call the Academic Affairs office at (323) 343-3808 for more information.

David L. Kubal Memorial Lecture6:15 p.m. May 14U-SU Los Angeles Room

Speaker: Dr. José E. Muñoz, Chair of Performance Studies at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. Professor Muñoz’s research has focused on comparative ethnic studies, queer theory, and performance art. He received his doctorate in comparative literature from Duke University. Call the CSULA English Dept. at (323) 343-4140 for more information.

The 2013 Cal State L.A. Commencement ceremonies will be spread over two days:

Friday 5 p.m. Ceremony - Charter College of Education, College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology, and College of Health and Human Services.

Saturday 8 a.m. Ceremony - College of Arts and Letters, College of Business and Economics, and College of Natural and Social Sciences. Call the Academic Affairs office at (323) 343-3808 for more information.

Sixteen students received a boost toward their educational goals in February when the Alumni Association awarded them with scholarships.

The $1,500 scholarships, funded by donations from Alumni Association members, were bestowed upon undergraduates and graduates at a private event attended by the recipients, Alumni Scholarship Committee members, the Alumni Association Board of Directors, and Alumni Association staff.

The Alumni Association began awarding undergraduate scholarships with two $600 awards in 1995. Since then, the process has expanded to include graduate students and generously awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to more than a dozen deserving Cal State L.A. students each year.

These scholarships not only aid students in their mission toward a degree at the University, but provide an opportunity for alumni to give back to the campus by working as volunteers on the selection committee.

Sylvia Martinez '82, '87, '98, serving in her second year as committee chair, led a group of 17 volunteers to review 135 student applications and conduct interviews with applicants for 2012-13.

The committee looks for well-rounded students and encourages those who have displayed leadership skills in school and the community, said Martinez, an administrator in Behavior Support for the Division of Special Education, Los Angeles Unified School District.

Students are rated in the areas of academic achievement, professional growth and internships, extra-curricular activities, financial need, written essays, letters of recommendation and overall impression.

Martinez says the committee members enjoy interacting with students and are inspired by the experience.

“The volunteers want to give back to Cal State L.A., but more importantly we want to support the students, who we find to be very unique, hard-working and exceptional students. When we read their applications and meet them during the interview process, we are very impressed with them, especially how they value education and how they will not let anything get in the way of their goals,” she explained.

The scholarships are a big push for the students, too, according to Ben Jefferson ’99, one of three previous scholarship recipients to serve on the selection committee this year.

“The scholarship represented a little bit of recognition and validation of what I had done in my time at Cal State L.A.,” said Jefferson, who was involved with the Associated Students, Inc. and the Sigma Nu fraternity. “I was transitioning from college to law school, so I had a lot of financial obligations at that time.”

Jefferson, who works as an instructional coach to special education teachers at Palmdale High School, said serving on the committee is his way of giving back to a new group of students

EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The CSULA Alumni Association is pleased to add to its list of sponsors, ScholarShare, California's 529 college savings plan. Saving enough to pay for college can seem overwhelming, but an early start, good planning and regular contributions can help you put a child's college education within reach.

Any earnings on investments can grow tax-deferred, and withdrawals, when used for tuition and other qualified expenses, are federal and state tax-free. The money saved in a ScholarShare account can be used at most accredited two-year and four-year colleges and universities, eligible foreign institutions and many vocational-technical schools. And the funds may be used for qualified higher education expenses including tuition, books and certain room and board costs at many colleges.

The minimum contribution to start an account for your child, grandchild, relative or friend is $25. To learn more, visit www.scholarshare.com or call 1-800-544-5248.

The ScholarShare College Savings Plan is administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, an agency of the State of California. Neither the principal deposited nor the investment return is guaranteed by the State of California, ScholarShare Investment Board or any affiliate thereof, or the federal government or any agency thereof. Units of the portfolios are municipal securities and may be subject to market volatility and fluctuation.

Class Notes

Class Notes

1950s

Genevieve Andrews Shepherd ('58), principal of Tom Bradley Environmental Science and Humanities Magnet School of Los Angeles, was recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Pinnacle Professional Among Educators.

1960s

Michael D. Antonovich (’63, ’67 M.A.), Los Angeles County Supervisor for the Fifth District, now serves as chairman of the L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA).

Nannette Brodie (’67, ’68 M.A.) celebrated the 25-year anniversary of The Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre in January with a performance at the Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater at Cal State Long Beach.

Rikk Morris (’69), an artist and musician, served as a judge for the art exhibition at Crash Music in Aztec, N.M.

Foraker Smith ('62, '69 M.A.) co-authored An Abundance of Miracles—The Autobiography of Charles A. Cofield with Cofield, the American Institute of Architects-California's first certified quadriplegic architect.

Robert A. Underwood (’69, ’71 M.A.) was appointed by President Barack Obama to the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences. He is the president and professor emeritus at the University of Guam.

Herman Ray Velarde (’62) has self-published a book, Handbook for America: A 21st Century Guide to the Pursuit of Happiness .

1970s

Roberto Casas (’72, ’79 M.A.) co-authored a book, Reflective Practice of Multi-Unicultural School Leaders: Strategies and Considerations for Improving Achievement of Cross-Culturally Diverse Students , published by Xlibris Publishing. He retired after 38 years in public education, including serving as deputy superintendent for Lynwood Unified School District and as superintendent of Brawley Union High School District.

Janice Cipriani-Willis (’75) opened an exhibit of her watercolor art in November at the Gallery at The Merc in Temecula.

Jo Anne Disney ('76) joined the Mid Valley News as an assistant editor and feature writer.

Phillip I. Elkins (’71) published Running From the Fire , the story of a kid growing up in East L.A., drafted into the army, sent to Vietnam as a medic, surviving that and coming back to Cal State L.A.

James B. Griffin (’77) is account manager at JBGmg Marketing & More.

John Kelleher (’71) received the 2012 Outstanding Leadership Award from the Southern California Association for Healthcare Development.

Renee D. Martinez ('72) is the president of Los Angeles City College.

Donna Seecof (’76 M.S.) and her husband, Robert, have published BOOKENDS: Objects of Art and Fashion , with Schiffer Publishing, Inc. She is retired from General Electric Healthcare Performance Solutions.

James Shannon (’72, ’74 M.A.), professor of sociology and psychology at Citrus College in Glendora, is retiring after 39 years of teaching.

1980s

Alice (Armendariz) Bag (’84), member of the 1970s L.A. punk band The Bags and currently a bilingual educator, was featured as an Iconic Hispanic Angeleno for Departures, an oral history project for KCET.org.

Tri Ta (’97), editor of Viet Salon magazine, has been elected the first Vietnamese American mayor of Westminster.

2000s

Carrie Lynn Arcos (’07 M.A.) was a finalist for the 2012 National Book Award in the young people’s literature category for her debut novel, Out of Reach .

Clifford Lyons ('00) is a broker associate at EXIT Realty Blaine Associates in Apple Valley and is the cantor for Spanish Mass at Our Lady of the Desert in Apple Valley.

Kerry (Evans) Sparks ('07) is co-author of Hello, My Name Is Pabst: Baby Names for Nonconformist, Indie, Geeky, DIY, Hipster, and Alterna-Parents of Every Kind , and is a literary agent at Levine Greenberg Literary Agency.

Leana Wen (’01) has published a book, When Doctors Don’t Listen: How to Avoid Misdiagnoses and Unnecessary Tests , about how patient empowerment can transform healthcare.

2010s

Christopher Eagar-Finney (’11) is in his second year of the Master of Social Work program at Columbia University School of Social Work.

Rosa Johnson (’10) launched Pearls Academy Inc., a community organization that provides mentorship, skills development and self-esteem training for young, at-risk African-American and Latina women in South Los Angeles.

Ken Mazur ('11 M.Music) composes the score for Joseph Rosendo's Travelscope on Public Television and wrote his first novel, The Zxap Jacket .

In Memoriam

Sidney P. Albert , emeritus professor of philosophy and scholar of George Bernard Shaw, was instrumental in the development of the Emeriti Faculty Association at Cal State L.A.

Jay A. Brown ('63) worked as a reporter and editor for The Sacramento Bee , and The Hartford Times ; public affairs management for Shell Oil; and president and publisher of Cineman Syndicate, serving newspapers worldwide with movie reviews.

Michael Allan Cohen ('61) worked as a mechanical engineer and general contractor. He served as a reserve officer for the Los Angeles Police Department.

Mary Dawn Cuff (’67 M.A.) served in World War II as a control tower operator for the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve. Later, she served the Latter Day Saints Church as ward and stake primary leader, organist and teacher.

Otto William (Bill) Fick was a professor of English specializing in American and European fiction and poetry.

Kris Gungon ('05) was an agent with United States Customs and Border Protection.

C.R.D. Halisi , a renowned international scholar, activist and educator, was professor and former chair of the Pan-African Studies department.

Terry R. Kandal , emeritus professor of sociology, was an expert in classical sociological theory, social change and revolution, gender and sex roles, and sociology of knowledge. He received the Outstanding Professor Award in 1996-97.

Beverly Lynn Krilowicz , retired professor of biological sciences, had an active research program in neurophysiology of sleep and hibernation.

Vernon F. Leidig , emeritus professor of music, initiated the Instrumental Music Education program and directed the Brass Choir. He received the campus Outstanding Professor Award in 1964.

Leon Leyson (’58) was one of the youngest of 1,100 Jews saved from the Nazis by German industrialist Oskar Schindler. He taught high school in Huntington Park for 39 years.

Dorothy McLaughlin ('76) co-founded Senior Helping Hands, Inc., an organization that assists senior citizens that remain in their homes, and was director of the Senior Community Service Employment Program in Montana.

Tim K. Siu had a private practice in anesthesia for over 30 years, working primarily out of San Gabriel Valley Hospital. Siu served on CSULA's President's, and, along with his wife Annie, sponsored multiple scholarships at CSULA and received the 2011 University Service Award.

James Tolbert ('55), one of the first African-American entertainment attorneys in Hollywood, represented clients including Redd Foxx, Lou Rawls, Harry "Sweets" Edison and Tuskegee Airmen. He was co-founder and president of the Beverly Hills-Hollywood chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Essie Mae Washington-Williams (’69) was a teacher and administrator in the Los Angeles Unified School District for 30 years. In 2003, she revealed herself as the daughter of Sen. Strom Thurmond, the legendary South Carolina politician who had built a career as a champion of segregation.

Takenori "Tak" Yamamoto (’69) was a pioneer Japanese American gay activist and a longtime leader of the Manzanar Committee.

Sports Feature

Sports Feature

Cal State L.A.'s Athletics Hall of Fame inducts three new members

Cal State L.A.’s Athletics Hall of Fame includes three new members.

They competed at national and world levels—even Major League Baseball diamonds—and earned spots in Cal State L.A.’s all‒time statistics lists. Now, those athletic records have procured these former Golden Eagles a piece of immortality.

Baseball pitcher Mike Burns, volleyball setter Tiare Tuitama and women’s track and field national champion Vicki Betts were inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame on Feb. 28. The Class of 2013 was the 22nd to be inducted and brings the total Hall of Fame membership to 112.

The trio joins other notable Hall of Famers like tennis legend Billie Jean King, two‒time Olympic track and field gold medalist Mal Whitfield, former Major League Baseball outfielder Jay Gibbons and former Major League Baseball pitcher and pitching coach Bob Apodaca.

Burns (’00), who began his collegiate career as an infielder, was converted to a pitcher and became a two‒time All‒California Collegiate Athletic Association performer in his three years on the mound. His career highlight at Cal State L.A. came on March 21, 2000 when he tossed a nine‒inning no‒hitter against Cal State Dominguez Hills. The only base runner he allowed in that game reached on an error.

After earning All‒CCAA honors in 1999 and 2000, Burns was selected in the 30th round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Houston Astros. He made his Major League debut for the Astros in 2005 and also had relief appearances in 2006 for the Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox. He returned to the Majors in 2009 and had his first start for the Milwaukee Brewers on June 25 against the Minnesota Twins.

Burns made 15 appearances for the Brewers in 2009, including eight starts. He posted three wins and threw a total of 52 innings.

The Houston Astros scout who signed Burns, Doug Deutsch, the son of former Cal State L.A. head coach and 1997 Hall of Fame inductee Jack Deutsch, presented Burns for induction. “The University put together a beautiful evening and made my family and friends feel so welcome,” Burns said. “Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is a great honor. I gave 110 percent to my team and the University for four great years and being recognized for the effort is a great feeling.”

Tuitama (’08) was a four‒year star for Cal State L.A.’s volleyball program and led the Golden Eagles to their highest national finish in 2005. She was named the CCAA Player of the Year after Cal State L.A. went 16 ‒ 2 in conference play. The Golden Eagles then hosted the Pacific Region Championships and won the regional title in the Eagles Nest Gym.

Cal State L.A. advanced to the national quarterfinals and beat Lock Haven in five sets before ending its season in the semi‒finals in a loss to Nebraska‒Kearney. The Golden Eagles had a 28 ‒ 3 overall record that season, which is the second‒best year in the program’s history.

Tuitama earned All‒CCAA honors as a sophomore, junior and senior and ended her Cal State L.A. career No. 3 in set assists (4,246) and No. 2 in digs (1,326).

She is now a top high school volleyball coach and guided her La Salle High School team in Pasadena to a California Interscholastic Federation Division I‒A championship. She has been named the California Interscholastic Federation Coach of the Year two consecutive years.

She was presented for induction by her coach, former CSULA head coach Bill Lawler and by friend and former teammate Airess Padda.

“Being inducted into the CSULA Athletic Hall of Fame is quite an honor and has made me more determined to help the young men and women that I coach to follow their dreams to play at a higher level,” Tuitama said. “The friendships, teamwork and determination my four years as a Golden Eagle gave me were the best gifts of all.”

Betts (’78) was Cal State L.A.’s first national champion in women’s outdoor track and field when she captured the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women long jump championship in 1973. She also teamed with Jarvis Scott, Margo Tiff and Gloria Whitfield to capture the AIAW sprint medley relay title.

Betts’ best mark in the long jump of 20 ‒ 11.75 is still No. 3 on Cal State L.A.’s all‒time list.

She represented Cal State L.A. at the World University Games held in the Soviet Union in 1973 and placed 12th overall. In 1976, she was an alternate on the U.S. Olympic Team in the long jump. She continued to compete after graduating from Cal State L.A. in 1978 and competed in the 1980 Olympic Trials in Eugene, OR, where she missed placing in the final by just 1/8 of an inch. She continued to train for the 1984 Olympics until a hamstring injury forced her to retire from competition.

She was presented for induction by her former coach, Jan Seaman, and her brother, Russell.

“Dr. Seaman’s dedication to the team and her enthusiasm coupled with her understanding and support enabled me to move past some hard personal times and achieve many of my goals. I owe Dr. Seaman a great deal of gratitude,” Betts said. “I am very honored to be inducted into the CSULA Hall of Fame.”

The Cal State L.A. Athletics Hall of Fame was instituted in 1985 to honor the outstanding achievements of individuals who have participated in intercollegiate athletics at the University as student‒athletes, coaches, administrators or staff and who have brought honor to themselves, Cal State L.A. and their communities.

Members of the Athletics Hall of Fame are selected by a panel of Cal State L.A. staff and alumni. To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, a student‒athlete must be an alumnus of Cal State L.A. with a record of outstanding achievement in at least one sport. The student‒athlete must have graduated or attended in good standing at least five years ago.